FAA eVTOL Integration Pilot Program Flips the Script on AAM Certification | Aviation International News

FAA eVTOL Integration Pilot Program Flips the Script on Certification

Program enables early commercial operations to inform future FAA rules

Wisk Aero eVTOL — Wisk Aero’s autonomous eVTOL aircraft is one of several set to get real-world operational experience through the U.S. eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. (Wisk Aero)

By Hanneke Weitering • Science & Technology Editor

April 3, 2026

Across the U.S. this year, electric, hybrid-electric, and autonomous aircraft will begin flying commercial cargo and medical missions under a federal pilot program—before the aircraft involved have received type certificates, and before the rules that will eventually govern them have been fully written.

That is the defining feature of the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), a White House initiative that recently selected eight state-led projects to bring the nation’s advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem to fruition. Rather than waiting for new rules and regulations to enable commercial AAM operations, the eIPP will allow early commercial operations to proceed in an immature regulatory environment, with the goal of gathering data to inform those rules.

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The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

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